Screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip: from theory to practice. Collaborative Group DDH Project.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate an organizational model for neonatal population screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

METHODS

In 4648 neonates born in six hospitals of the Lombardy region, screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip was done using the Ortolani-Barlow maneuver and ultrasonography.

RESULTS

The frequency of positive results of clinical and ultrasound examinations carried out in the hospitals varied considerably as a result of difficulties in the Ortolani-Barlow test reproducibility and in the low sensitivity of the clinical examination when compared to ultrasonography. Neonatal screening results implied a large number of subjects with a IIa hip, according to Graf's system; as these subjects require follow-up, the cost of this type of screening is high. Ultrasound findings were normal at 69 days of life in 88% and 75% of subjects, respectively, with unilateral and bilateral type IIa hip.

CONCLUSION

This study evaluated various organizational models for screening (for different time periods and for selected populations) in relation to the cost-benefit ratio and demonstrated the different problems that still impede identification of a correct screening model.